Calvary Missionary Baptist Church

Bible Study Series

"Basic Baptist Doctrine"

March 21, 2002

DWS

Session #10 Lesson#l

"The Purpose of Church Discipline"

Introduction:

There will not be, nor can be, any productive results of a church's attempts to discipline its members without an understanding of the reasons behind such actions. Discipline within the Lord's churches is much misunderstood and therefore seldom practiced. Unfortunately, the failure to maintain proper discipline has led our churches into a state much like a home that never disciplined or taught its children how to behave and is now facing a house full of unruly and disrespectful teenagers / adults. Now that the problem is manifested, we look at one another and ask. "Where do we start to fix this mess?!?" The truth is that the damage has been done. Adults find it much more difficult to change their internal thinking than a child (still in their formative years) does. The prevailing attitude appears to be that it has gone undone for this long so it would be unfair to begin practicing discipline now. Well, here is a news flash... .that is nothing less than procrastination towards what everyone knows needs to happen! When do we need to

begin maintaining consistent, spiritual discipline in our church...... today and everyday

subsequent!! In order to properly prepare to repair this chasm that neglect produced, we must understand the scripturally prescribed reasons for discipline.

I. Pendleton's Baptist Church Manual

This book has been referenced frequently throughout this series of studies and we will continue to reference it as a good source of Missionary Baptist doctrine based upon the scriptures. The following are pages 143-146 of that book:

Objects To Be Had In View In Discipline

Prominent among these objects are:

1.  The glory of God. Whatever makes corrective church discipline necessary
dishonors God. The greater its necessity the more God is dishonored. The need of
discipline in all its stages arises from the fact that there is a state of things in conflict with
the will of God. Whatever is in conflict with his will tarnishes his glory. If then God is
to be honored, and his glory promoted in the churches, discipline must be exercised to
correct that which is in conflict with his will, and which obscures his glory. Our God is
infinitely holy, and the neglect of discipline, when either personal or general offences
require it, virtually represents him as the patron of iniquity. Let the churches tremble at
this thought, and remember that the holy God they serve is also a jealous God.

2.          Purity of the churches. The followers of Christ, though in the world, are not of
the world. They are called out of darkness into marvelous light - called to be saints -
called with a holy calling - and in their embodied form as churched they are the
depositaries of the pure principles of the gospel. They are Christ's representatives in the
world - lights of the world, cities set on hills which cannot be hidden. Paul said to the
Corinthians: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with
darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel?" (II Corinthians 6:14-15). These significant questions show that the
spirit of Christianity and the spirit of the world are utterly irreconcilable. And if so, the
churches of the saints, to maintain their purity, must apply the rod of corrective discipline
to all who live unworthily of the gospel. They must do this to vindicate "the truth as it is
in Jesus," and to represent his religion as the antagonist of whatever is evil. With special
reference to the necessity of expelling an unworthy member (I Corinthians 5:1) and
apostle says, "Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?" As if he had
said, "Are you ignorant that the retention of a flagrant transgressor will corrupt the entire
church?" The purity of the churches cannot be preserved without faithful discipline.
And every church virtually endorses the wrongs she does not, by disciplinary action,
attempt to correct.

3.          The spiritual good of the disciplined. This is a third object to be kept in view
in all disciplinary proceedings. We have seen already that in matters of personal offence
the "gaining" of the offending brother is to be specially regarded. Those who have been
"overtaken in a fault" are, if possible, to be restored. And when a church passes as act of
exclusion - delivering a member over to Satan - that informally transferring him from
Christ's jurisdiction to that of the devil - it must be done, "that the spirit may be saved in
the day of the Lord Jesus. " There must be no bitterness of feeling, no disposition to
persecute and oppress, no indulgence of revengeful impulses. The act of expulsion must
be considered a painful necessity, and should be passed by the church with great
solemnity. Everything should be so done as to make the impression on all that it is an
awful thing to be cut off from the fellowship of God's people. It would be well for an
earnest prayer to be offered that the disciplinary action may prove a blessing to the
offender, exert a salutary influence on the church, and impress the community with the
holiness of the religion of Jesus.

It is suggested that it might be well for every pastor, the next Lord's Day after the exclusion of a member, to announce the fact to the congregation. Sometimes a church is considered by men of the world of endorsing an unworthy character because they do not know of the act of exclusion. It should, in some way, be made known."

II. Church Discipline (L.S. Walker and E.C. Gillentine)

The next excerpt is from a little booklet that I have referred to multiple times in regards to church discipline. The author named Walker I am unfamiliar with. I do, however, have confidence in E.C. Gillentine the vast majority of the time and I believe he has also been referenced within these studies. The following is contained within pages 4-7:

The Reason or Purpose of Church Discipline

We offer here several reasons or purposes for church discipline:

1. It -will aid the church in getting rid of her unregenerated members. Of course,
no church should, in reality, have any unregenerated members, however, many of them,
perhaps, most of them have some unsaved people in their membership who are unsaved.
Certainly, an unsaved person cannot live a Christian life. He has no spiritual background.
He has no foundation for his life. His life is being built upon the sand rather than upon
the eternal Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ, the only true foundation for salvation, I
Corinthians 3:11. Hence, to exercise strict church discipline will help keep the church
free from such members.

2.     It will aid in chastening the erring children of God in the churches. It will
cause them to repent of their sins and weaknesses in the flesh.

3.     It will be a constant reminder to the church and to the -world that God's justice
in judgment -will find the -wicked in -whatever state, condition or society they may seek to
live.

4.   It will increase the membership among those who want a clean, wholesome
spiritual environment in which to live. There are times when some churches would
exercise their authority in church discipline were it not for fear of offending someone.
On this point, let us reason together a little. What about offending God and His church?
Is it all right to offend the Lord? Is it all right to offend His church? So you think we
should consider the personal feelings of an individual and neglect our duty regarding
church discipline? Or should we do our duty toward God regardless of the individual's
personal feelings in the matter? Do you think we should fellowship wrong for the sake of
members? The Lord says, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather reprove them," Ephesians 5:11. We may not be responsible for the wrong, but we
are responsible for fellowshipping with the wrong-doer when we have it in our power to
withdraw from them.

God is no respecter of persons, and He teaches us in His Word not to be, James 2:1-4. When a member walks disorderly, lives an ungodly life, and brings reproach on the church he should be dealt with according to the teachings of God's Word. This should be done regardless of his social or financial standing in the world. When a church thus deals with her members she will gain the confidence and respect of all saved people both in and out of her membership. Of course, discretion and prudence should always be exercised.

5.          Weak members will be helped. Many churches have weak members who are
afraid to exercise church discipline. They are afraid of criticism and persecution. Such
members need to be taught the truth of God's Word on the subject, and they would grow
stronger thereby. Many times weak members, who themselves are not willing to help to
exercise church discipline, can tell the church how it should be done. As a rule, when the
time comes to do the work such members cannot be found.

6.          The spiritually ignorant will be helped. Many times churches have as leaders
carnally minded and unsaved persons. Strict church discipline will both be a rebuke and
instructive to them. Such a leadership in many churches is, probably. The greatest of all
reasons why we do not have more church discipline. God will not bless such unscriptural
proceedings in anything, it matters not how sincere we may appear to be. God is bound
only to keep and bless His Word.

The doctrine of church discipline is tremendously important as all Bible students will agree. Likewise, all who understand the prevailing condition of the churches will agree that very few are exercising any discipline at all. May God help His people to start now to raise the standard of living in our churches, that they may not be stumbling blocks to the world.

The Devil has imposed many things upon the Lord's churches to rob them of their influence with the world of lost sinners. Many of our churches are now cursed with worldly wise, carnally -minded leaders. Under such leadership the most vile offenses are committed against the churches and against God and His Word. These vile offences are committed in the name of Christianity. Such things have become a stench in the nostrils of God. Because of this many churches have become cold and spiritless, indifferent and unresponsive to the truth; they have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof, from such, Paul said, "Turn away." Many churches have gone so far in this loose way until Satan's seat is in many churches today.

On this particular doctrine we have sinned and some have almost come to the point of outright contempt for God's Word. Such contempt for divine instruction is mounting evidence of the exodus of the Lord from His churches and the entrance of Satan to the seat of leadership in many congregations in the name of Christ. No doubt, we were living in the days of the Laodicean church age spoke of in Revelation 3:14-21. We need to lay aside all customs, forms, traditions, and pre-conceived ideas and opinions of our own and get on the plan as outlined in God's Word. Certainly, we should obey God rather than men."

III. Principles and Practices for Baptist Churches   (Edward T. Hiscox)

This reference was written in 1893,1 believe. I don't know that much about Mr. Hiscox other than that he is "right on target" most of the time. In fact, I reference this book as much as I look at Pendleton's Manual. The following is lengthy, but well worth your time in reading and pondering. The text is taken from pages 160-164; 167-171:

Church Discipline

"Every organization which proposes to work smoothly, and yet efficiently, must have certain rules and regulations to be followed; certain laws for the individual members to obey. Failing in this - either without the laws or with laws disregarded - all effort will go wide of the mark, and all endeavors, instead of succeeding and furthering each other, will counteract and interrupt each other; confusion will ensue, the wisest designs be frustrated, and the best-laid plans become abortive. This is true everywhere. In the State, in the family, every association whether for business, politics, scientific, literary or art research or improvement, all must be regulated by laws adopted for the common good, to which obedience is to be rendered by the members. And the object sought to be attained must fail unless there be conformity to the laws by which the organization is bound together, and obedience to which constitutes its vital force.

There is no society to which these remarks apply more appropriately and with more emphasis, than to that one divinely constituted organization, the "Society of Jesus," the Church of Christ. It has its laws, not human enactments, but divine. They are few and simple, not difficult to be understood or obeyed. "His commandments are not grievious;" and on conformity to them, both by the church as a body, and by the individual members as well, depend the peace, harmony and efficiency of the society. When these regulations fall into disuse, and the good order of the body is neglected, it becomes weak and inefficient, neither commanding the confidence of its own members, nor the respect of the world. It is true that mere laws are a dead letter without the indwelling spirit of life in Christ Jesus. But the indwelling spirit of life becomes effectual only as it works to its purpose in harmony with those laws given for its guidance. Law and life! Life and law! Life to energize; law to guide. This is the philosophy and the method of the universe, both in nature and in grace.

To some the word discipline has an unpleasant sound. It seems punitive. It savors of transgression, conflict and punishment. But Church Discipline is not to be taken in this narrow sense alone; nor does it develop these unlovely features, except where, by the culpable neglect of pastors and others, it has fallen into decay, good order and the well-being of the body have been long disregarded, and the Church had become a lawless and disorderly company. Then a very hasty, and possibly an intemperate effort to make matters right, without sufficient prudence and precaution, may develop difficulties. As chronic disorder and disregard of lawful regulations in every society tend not only to a decay of efficient action, but to the ultimate destruction of the society itself, and prepare for conflict, if vigorous effort be made to reestablish good order and the reign of law; so many a church has declined even to imbecility, if not to death, by long neglect of judicious and healthful order and discipline, after long-continued neglect and disorder. But many a church has also found that a thorough course of Christian labor, and the

reestablishment of a healthful scriptural discipline has brought back to the body order and harmony, reinvigorated its wasted energies, has produced a better tone of practical piety, and become the precursor of a revival of religion."

"The church is the school of Christ; let the school be controlled with strict, yet wise and kindly discipline, or the pupils will learn more of evil than of good, and anarchy and confusion will supplant good government. The church is a family; let there be law and order in the household, tempered with tenderness and discretion, otherwise the family fails of its mission, and becomes a reproach rather than a blessing to society. The church is the organic representative of the kingdom of Christ; unless law prevail in the kingdom and order be maintained, how shall the King be honored, the kingdom be advanced, or the world be blessed by its coming and triumph?

It is therefore of the utmost importance that a correct scriptural discipline be strictly maintained. The neglect of it fills a church with evils which check the growth of piety, hinder the success of the Gospel, and reproach the Christian name, while from an injudicious and unscriptural exercise of it, more dissensions have arisen than perhaps from any other single cause. Every well-organized society has its regulations, in which each one, on becoming a member, acquiesces, to which he pledges his support as he shall belong to it; and leave it, if he ever does leave it, according to its stipulated forms.

A Christian church is the most perfectly constructed society known to men, and its system of government the most simple and complete. As each member on entering it, solemnly covenants to maintain, defend and abide by these regulations, so he should consider himself bound by the most sacred considerations to honor and keep his covenant inviolate."

The Scope of Discipline (p. 167)

1.  The Object of Discipline

The object and purpose of discipline is to prevent, restrain, or remove the evil that may exist, to encourage and protect the right, and cherish the good, "for the edifying of the body of Christ," that it may be "perfect in love.," and without reproach. It is not to gratify personal prejudice, or secure any selfish ends, but to reclaim the wandering, guide the wayward, and secure the best spiritual interests of each member, and the purity, good order, and efficiency of the entire body. That church is always held in higher esteem by its own members, and more respected and honored by the world, where a high standard of Christian morals is maintained, and a jealous watch-care is exercised over the faith and conduct of its members.

2.   The Spirit of Discipline

The justification and the effectiveness of discipline depend not a little on the spirit with which it is exercised. It must not be exercised in a spirit of arrogance, nor of dictation, nor of assumed superiority, much less of vindictiveness, but of fraternal solicitude, of gentleness and love. If the impression be given to the offender that there is a disposition to condemn and punish, the whole purpose is frustrated. Paul's injuction to

the Galatians was, "Brethren, if any man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted." Galatians 6:1. This should be a perpetual guide to the temper of Christian labor with erring disciples, and is worthy to be inscribed in gold on the walls of every church; or better still, written by the Spirit of God on every Christian heart. The work of restoration is to be done, and not neglected; but it is to be done in a spirit of meekness, with a sense of one's own liability to err.

3.  The Right of Discipline

That churches have a right to exercise a watchful supervision over their members, to reprove them when erring, and withdraw fellowship from them when incorrigible, is a necessity arising from the very constitution of their organization. The right to exercise discipline inheres in the very nature of government, whether the government be in the hands of one, the few, of the many. This right was recognized by Christ and His apostles, and was exercised by the first churches. "But if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man, and a publican." Matthew 18:17. "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." II Thessalonians 3:6. "A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition, reject." Titus 3:10.

4.   The Duty of Discipline

Not only has a church the right to exercise discipline, in the milder forms of fraternal labor, for the removal of evils, but to the extreme of excision it is the imperative duty of every church to administer this needed and salutary part of government. That church is unfaithful to itself, to its members and to its living Head, that neglects it. Not that it should seek opportunity to find faults, or to deal with the weak and the wandering, but it should be faithful to do this when occasion calls for it. "If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him." Luke 17:3. "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." I Timothy 5:20. "Wherefore come our from among them." II Corinthians 6:17. "Whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it." I Corinthians 12:26. "I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them." Romans 16:17. "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." I Corinthians 5:13.

5.   The Limit of Discipline

The exercise of discipline is limited in its range, by the laws of Christ as applied to Christian faith and morals, kindly and generously interpreted, in the spirit of fraternal affection, and yet with fidelity to the purity of truth, and the honor of the Gospel. Also it is limited to such matters of covenant agreement as were understood by each member on entering the church, as forming the rules and regulations of the body. Evidently it would not be expected that such matters as were purely personal to the individual, not violations of any law of the New Testament, not transgressions of Christian morals, nor yet of